Also known as the Flying Fish this is a popular pub with walkers. There is a lounge bar and conservatory where children are allowed together with an outside play area. It can get very crowded and noisy in nice weather but you can get a quiet drink in the tap room where children are not allowed. There is a large Arga in this bar where I have seen shoes drying out on a wet day! The bar menu is excellent value and specials are displayed daily. A large plate of hotpot costs just £1.95 and meat and potato pie and gravy is £1.50. The chef also does a very good curry. All portions are generously sized and not for the smaller appetite!

Linda - Jun 2005

We're rarely organised enough to book so that we can visit The Fish at the weekend - called in today without a reservation - we were greeted warmly and enjoyed fantastic food professionally prepared and presented - can't recommend too highly - one course is more than enough unless you're famished!!

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Rating: rosettes

Wignall Family

An Hidden Gem

We had family staying and decided to visit The Dolphin Inn. First and foremost was not disappointed. The dining area was busy and we did have to wait to be seated and for our food. But believe me it was worth the wait. Great food, great staff at a great price. We will be back

Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Rating: rosettes

Tony Hey

Lunch

Visited for the first time on Friday with friends who had been before. Nice friendly staff provided a first class service, and the food was delicious. If I was to have one small niggle, the menu is so extensive that it was difficult to make a choice, it all looked so mouth-wateringly good. I finally opted for the belly pork and it was excellent. We will definatlely be returning, and, sooner than later, there's a big menu to work our way through.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Rating: rosettes

Tony Hey

Lunch

Visited for the first time on Friday with friends who had been before. Nice friendly staff provided a first class service, and the food was delicious. If I was to have one small niggle, the menu is so extensive that it was difficult to make a choice, it all looked so mouth-wateringly good. I finally opted for the belly pork and it was excellent. We will definatlely be returning, and, sooner than later, there's a big menu to work our way through.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Rating: rosettes

Joanne hayes

I must say the food was delicious. We were going to have a desert but the service was a little slow and it wasn't busy.

I really don't like the term 'guys' and would prefer not to here this or be called this.

We were also sat in the conservatory and were very cold as were some of the party as we didn't take our coats or jackets off!

I will come back here as I said earlier the food is delicious but would prefer to be sat somewhere else.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Rating: rosettes

Ray collier

Family meeting

Ignore the negative commentas a Yorkshire man visiting my daughter and her partner in Preston and his family from Wales this was our first visitif the war of roses was base on food the flying fish would have won hands down the food was excellent the staff where friendly efficient and could not done enough for us also worked very well on a very busy day .a good variety of real ales There only one word that can describe the Chef out of this woldNow for the negative????????Far too must food unbelievableamount fore the price ( had to relax after in hotel after)second play area for the children not very good ( but then children make there on entertainments ) Back in Preston in Aug so it a must visitDie Hard Yorkshire Man

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Rating: rosettes

Adele

Excellent in every way

Tea with a girlfriend, tues evening, booked a table as always advisable!! Two young lads serving on behind the bar and with our food simply couldn't do enough for us, very attentive and the food was excellent... I think it's fair prices for excellent food and highly recommend this gem of a pub....

Monday, July 7, 2014

Rating: rosettes

Anonymous

Me and my family visited The Dolphin Inn for lunch today, however we will not be visiting again. On arrival we felt uncomfortable and unwelcome, we left feeling the same. The service was poor and the employees rude and ignorant.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Rating: No rosettes

Mr C Baines

Food fine service awful hour and half wait for fo

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Rating: rosettes

GRAHAM HANDLON

Been back today 12/04/2014 with family last time we went was oct 2013 top food and service, same again today mixed grill was awesome. Proper cooked food, top marks to the chef. Well recommend A1 lads.Be back soon.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

Rating: rosettes

Catherine strangeway

Great Place!

We celebrated my dad's birthday meal here. The staff and the food was fantastic. Staff could not have done more to deal with our requests and dietary requirements. We will be back and recommend the dolphin to anyone wanting fresh, lovely food.

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Rating: rosettes

Sharon

Abusive staff!

My daughter was one of the teens mentioned below. The rude blonde barman ought to be fired. When they complained about his behaviour and asked to speak to the manager he said I am the manager. Another member of the public overhearing this comment said he's not the manager he's just a troublemaker. Plenty of people looking for work - they should get rid of him and employ somebody with a better attitude.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Rating: No rosettes

Terry Gregson

Friends suggested that we have a meal at the Dolphin saying that they had dined there recently and that the meal was very good. We certainly was not disappointed, my wife ordered the fish and chips and I chose the steak and ale pie, I can honestly say that the pie was one of the best I have tasted, and my wife was just as satisfied with the fish, as for the chips I would love to know how the chef cooks them, must get the wife to ask him next time we dine at the Dolphin which will not be long, Many Thanks, Greggy.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Rating: rosettes

Graham Handlon

The barstaff are very freindly end extremely helpful, OMG the mixed grill was amazing, well recommended, great presentation I will be back

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Rating: rosettes

Lisa Mulgrew

Had an interesting night at the dolphin inn at first all was going well but then a blond bar man started spurting abuse at a group of teens/20'ish for what I saw was no reason as his reason of move your shit was a bit dubious. Later I stepped outside to leave with my friends to leave I saw this blonde bartender again verbally assaulting this young group this time for them saying they wanted to speak to the manager. As we walked to our car parked just outside the pub I saw a member of public complain him about his behaviour to which he looked at them all and called them scum. Overall nice pub bad staff.

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Rating: rosettes

Kerry McIlwain

Awful, got 'barred' for absolutely no reason, extremely rude blonde barman who's name I do know if anyone wants to know, would not recommend, do not come here if you do not want to be verbally abused.

Friday, September 27, 2013

Rating: No rosettes

M. Murphy

Great pub, great food, great prices, great staff.Have been twice with friends and going again with family who are visiting from Warwick, Cant wait!

Monday, September 2, 2013

Rating: rosettes

Janet mounsey

Taste heaven

I've always been a rams fan but we thought we'd try the dolphin sice the rams kitchen had taken over. To start I had smoked salmon and egg, and eventhough it is the most expensive starter it has to be the best thing I've ever tasted. Shaun had the asettie cheese and really enjoyed it. For mains I had the smoked rack of lamb in hay a taste sensation. Shaun had dead mans legs which even though he thought they were nice wouldn't have them again. All in all a complete success. I will be going again.

Friday, July 26, 2013

Rating: rosettes

Chis

Dinner 1 June 2013

Booked for dinner on the recommendation of friends and wasn't disappointed. We were made to feel very welcome and nothing was too much trouble for the staff. We started off by sharing a portion of battered mushrooms which were very tasty though my husband would have liked the mushrooms cooking a little more. My husband had the steak & kidney pie which he thoroughly enjoyed saying that the meat was really tender and the pastry a good texture. I had the lamb henry, the meat was gorgeous and just fell away from he bone. After allowing for our dinners to digest we both finished off with the Eton mess cheesecake which was delicious. Will definitely return.

Friday, June 14, 2013

Rating: rosettes

Mark

Future Visit

Our bike club (of friendly,sensible, older bikers) hope to come to The Dolphin and use as a stop of for our Southport bound ride outs. The reviews look good and the location in great. Reading the reviews there seems to be a guy called Adam who says he cant drink there anymore as he has been banned for drink driving. I think he must have meant he cant drive there anymore, nobody is stopping him drinking. Hope to see you soon on a nice sunny ride out.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Rating: No rosettes

Janet Hodkinson

Need to take a refresher in Customer Service

Have just had a meal with my husband at the Dolphin Inn. I had fish and chips. The meal was very nicely presented and the batter on the fish was light and tasty. However, the fish itself was completely overcooked and tasted dry and had a rubbery texture. A female member of staff (management?) walked past and asked how our meals were. She walked on without waiting for an answer so I called her back and explained the problem. She offered to get another fish but as we had been waiting a while for my husband's steak pie, I didn't want to wait any longer. She then offered a free dessert. When our plates had been cleared away this lady brought us the dessert menu but the only dessert on it I would have considered was not available. When the bill came we were charged the full amount for the 2 meals. We were not happy with this and spoke to the female member of staff who said that as I had eaten the majority of the meal and had offered a free dessert, she could not reduce the bill. I pointed out that I had eaten very little of the fish and batter. I had in effect had had a meal of chips and bread and butter. She then went to talk to management. When she came back, she merely printed out a new bill and put it on the counter with no explanation and a sour face. I asked her to explain and she said that she had knocked off the price of the fish meal. We told her that we had only expected her to knock off the price of the dessert she was going to give us. With a very bad attitude she told us that she had given us a new bill. She should remember that she is working for a service industry and attention to customer satisfaction is the only way to ensure the business's future. Earlier she had been heard crowing about a fantastic write-up in the Lancashire Evening Post! I will never visit this venue again until the management changes.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Rating: No rosettes

Disgusted customer

Cat hair in the food

Found 5 cat hairs in our food and we were refused a refund...there was a cat running around the pub surely that is health and safety! absolutely disgusting and un hygienic and the management was shameful as he was not understanding and willing to refund us, he was only willing to change the food....we had waited 45mins for the food so were starving and to be totally honest i dont see how the next batch of food would be hairless!!! disgrace

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Rating: No rosettes

Sarah Holmington

Lovely pub great food

Visited on a cold sunday lunchtime.Although we travelled a few miles and struggled to find the place we were very impressed.Me and my partner both had roast beef which was a bargain - 2 for 12 pounds.This was one of the best roasts I have eaten out.the only negatives were the dining area could have been warmer and one female member of staff (management?) could do with an attitude upgrade.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Rating: rosettes

george Layton

best in sunshine

After visiting the Dolphin on a sunny day I can honestly say this pub must be one of the best country pubs to visit in the sunshine.The ales are a good standard and a good selection.The food is excellent and as you can get 2 meals for just £8 who can grumble.seems to be improving every time i visit.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Rating: rosettes

Paul S

Who is Coco behind the bar?

Arriving at the bar I was met with a spotty gimp who had as much customer service technique as his colleague. What a shoddy little bastard!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Rating: No rosettes

john gillard

driving ban

i was retained by the police after getting arseholed in this pub and attempting to drive home , i was twice over the limit but i've told everyone i was pulled over in the morning , lol im such a liar

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Rating: rosettes

john gillard

shooters retreat

best shooting pub and drinking pub by far , its just ashame i cant drink here any more as i've been banned for drink driving, i also know who grassed me up , , , ADAM

Monday, January 9, 2012

Rating: rosettes

Dan F

Great pub

My granddad (Richard Holmes) was born in the pub itself, as his dad, Henry, was the original owner. The pub was later passed on to my granddad's sister Cath, who, along with her husband Big Max ran the pub through until the 90s. When it was sold to the Harrisons, it had good improvements, like the playground and better landscaping. It changed hands a few times, but now the owner has it just right. A perfect pub to drink at, the private room is still as tip top and the food is beautiful. The bar staff are all very friendly, quite butch women, but pleasant nonetheless. A great pub to have a pint at, after shooting at the Dolphin Shooting Ground (now owned by Big Max Drelincourt's son, Max Jr). This pub will always be a classic, and even though it's out of the village, near the marsh, it's the best pub in Longton. Beats the Red Lion, Golden Ball, Black Bull and Rams Head anyday!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Rating: rosettes

IFIngham

Coming Along

Food and service have improved in the last three months. Cleanliness is still very hit and miss the entrance door mat was filthy looked untouched fro days. The atmosphere since Zena s days has gone down hill. Reasonable value for money if it is to get back to the old customer levels needs someone with drive to manage it

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Rating: rosettes

P.d

I thought service and food was as good as the old bistro but steak pie the same not as nice as haddock i belive the pub is thrieving since the fatty who never attempted to smile who when ever i came down seemed to always be fagging in on a small chair has gone back to burger king.many of the old staff are welcoming and it is a pleasent pub with surroundings love the windermere paale annd have enjoyed going to the pub for many years

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Rating: rosettes

Susan walmsley

I have spent many a happy afternoon in the flying fish when Kath and Max drellingcourt ? had it it has always been a welcoming pub. Granted it did change when peter took it over but loved the new look and never had any problem with staff,food or service prior leaving for new Zealand. long may it stay, look forward to the next visit.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Rating: rosettes

DC Baker

Fact finding visit by Porsche and Ferrari Clubs

Very recently I visited the Dolphin to check it out as a possible venue for Porsche Club GB and Ferrari clubs to meet for a meal.

Despite attractive surroundings, and a tasty well presented starter of Poached Egg and Smoked Salmon, we were all bitterly dissapointed with the main course of steak and ale pie. The steak was tough and we all left some.

As for the service, we were asked if everyting was alright, even before we had managed to chew our first mouthful of the starter. When we told the waitress we all thought the pie was very poor, all she said was I'll tell the chef. He of course didn't come back to us.

Needless to say we will not be returning, nor recommending the Dolphin to our members

Friday, September 11, 2009

Rating: rosettes

stephen

jobs

hi if and when you talke over will you need a chef?????

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Rating: rosettes

Johnny Boyles

Im buying this pub!

My name is Johnny Boyles and I'm buying this pub at the moment to go with the rest of my business portfolio. Any comments and suggestions would be welcomed if you have any. I have a Lamborghini for a run about so if you see me around Longton stop me and tell me any ideas you have.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Rating: rosettes

tom

V Nice

My Grandad lives there with my aunty and uncle so we like to visit often i am from Liverpool. and my dad and step mum may be buying it

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Rating: rosettes

Anonymous

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Rating: No rosettes

John gillard

fishtastic

There is nothing i like better than to go down to the fish at weekends.Tthe barstaff are very freindly end extremely easy on the eye!!! the landladys name is xena she can be my warrior princess any time!x

Friday, December 29, 2006

Rating: rosettes

Molly

More Jazz please!

Jazz night every 3rd Thursday in the month - not to be missed!!! Add that to the real ale and log fire - true perfection!!!

Thursday, November 2, 2006

Rating: rosettes

simon

good food bad bar staff

the food was the best i have had for a long time. the only bad thing was the bar staff and the manageress was very very ignorant and couldnt be bothered. compliments to the chef ( i think she was called jennifer). i would recommend it for the food but sorry not the bar staff.

Sunday, September 25, 2005

Rating: No rosettes

Graham Thomas

Good Pub

I have been coming to this pub since it was just a Beer House where you got beer from the kitchen in jug.Its has a long history conected with the River CrossingsI love the new layout in the lounge and the friendly staffLong may it go on

Wednesday, September 21, 2005

Rating: rosettes

Phil Mcracken

very good indeedy

i think i visited the dolphin inn. i thought the staff were very very friendly especially hev bev, she was very helpful (wink wink nudge nudge) If she ever left the fish that would be the downfall of the pub.